Ginepri loses, US still alive in Dusseldorf

Robby Ginepri raced across Europe only to lose a match on Tuesday at the ARAG World Team Championship - but his US side remained in contention anyway as teammate Sam Querrey saved the day to pull the Americans level 1-1 with Spain.

Nicolas Almagro got past Ginepri, whose recent travels had taken him from a loss in Nice tournament qualifying at the weekend onto the practise courts of Roland Garros, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4).

Ginepri came in as a substitute for John Isner, resting a sore arm at the eight-nation tune-up for the French Open starting Sunday.

Querrey kept the US level at one win each against Spain as he defeated Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-3, 6-4 with the tie to be decided in Wednesday's doubles.

Ginepri said he had never expected to be a part of the American team, but explained the circumstances of his late arrival.

"I had lost in Nice qualifiers and flew to Paris to get ready for qualifying there. But only moments after I learned that I made it into Paris (main draw), I got a call of help from Sam asking me if I wanted to come to Dusseldorf.

"I caught a flight at 9:15 last night and was here by 11 p.m.

It's unfortunate I couldn't come out with a victory, but he's (Almagro) one of the best clay-courters out there.

"I'll take a lot of positives from this match," said the number 98, winner of three ATP titles.

The US, winner of four titles - the last in 1993 - won its first tie of the week against Australia.

Germany moved into recovery mode with Philipp Kohlschreiber turning the momentum for the hosts with a 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Argentine Horacio Zeballos.

The 1-0 scoreline will have to suffice overnight for the four-time champion, which got off to the worst possible start through an opening Blue group loss to France.

Germany lifted its last title in 2005 and will bid to complete its first winning tie of the week Wednesday with the concluding singles and doubles rubbers.

Argentina has won two Dusseldorf trophies since 2000 after claiming a first 30 years ago in the tournament's infancy.

In the rival Red group, journeyman Jan Hajek put the Czech Republic in 1-0 command over Australia with a defeat of Peter Luczak 6-1, 6-2.

France stood 1-1 with holder Serbia after Paul-Henri Mathieu beat Serb newcomer Dusan Lajovic 6-2, 6-3 and Viktor Troicki retaliated over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-2, 6-4.